Damascus, Dec 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Syrian authorities Wednesday freed 912 protesters arrested during the ongoing unrest in the country, the country's official news agency Sana said.

Those freed do "not have blood on their hands," the agency added.

The release of those, who were arrested during the upheaval, is one of the main demands of the Syrian opposition leaders. The say the move is needed for the inception of a peaceful dialogue and settlement of the crisis.

Protests started in Syria in mid-March.

According to UN estimates, more than 3,500 people have so far perished in the upheaval.

The Arab League Sunday approved economic sanctions against Syria, agreeing to stop dealing with Syria's central bank and to freeze the assets of the Syrian government, while European Union governments Monday agreed to impose additional financial sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Opposition leaders maintain that Syrian authorities continue to use force against "peaceful demonstrations" and many people were killed or injured as a result.

Syrian authorities say that the troops and police are clashing with militants who are financed from abroad and attack administrative bodies and ordinary citizens.